Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you fix your wet basement now?
Short-term problems include damage to carpets, drywall and paneling in a finished basement. Stored items, furnaces, and hot water heaters can also suffer severe water damage. Wet conditions can give rise to mildew and mold problems.

Long-term erosion under the foundation and basement slab can cause severe structural problems.

The majority of structural water intrusion is a result of below grade water movement caused by improperly installed or failed footing drains. During new home construction, original drains are normally installed on the exterior of the foundation. The causes of failure are many and include silt impaction, collapse, or root intrusion. Water intrusion can cause erosion under the footing and slab, and therefore replacement of the original failed drain lines, and therefore, may not be successful. Installing new footing drains along the interior of the footing, under the basement slab, assures one hundred percent success, and is generally more cost effective. Beware of using "patented" rectangular drain pipe sold by some franchise contractors, as this type of drain pipe is not designed for our "Northwest" soil structure and has caused homeowners headaches over the years. The key to a successful installation is the placement of the drain line. Ask our representative for a complete explanation.

We can also solve additional water intrusion problems through voids or breaches to the foundation wall or water from above.

Are there any health risks from a wet basement or crawlspace?
Wet basements and crawlspaces can affect people with mold allergies. Additionally, in rare cases, toxic mold can get a foothold in a wet structure, which can cause severe health risks and potentially serious financial loss.

Will homeowners insurance help pay for the repair work?
Homeowners insurance will likely cover the damage to property, but not the maintenance or repair costs to solve groundwater intrusion. Additionally, many homeowner policies exclude damage from mold caused by groundwater. Be sure to closely examine your insurance policy.

Will disturbing the basement slab cause any loss of structural integrity to the house.
With few exceptions, the basement slab is not a structural necessity. Many older homes were built without a basement slab. Most often, in older homes, the basement slab was intended to keep your feet out of the dirt and mud. Usually, fixing subterranean water intrusions with an interior drain system will stabilize the foundation by stopping erosion.

You will enjoy increased peace of mind, on stormy days and nights, knowing that your largest investment, your home, is secure from the damages of water intrusion.